The first Republican presidential nomination debate is set to take place on Wednesday at 9 pm ET in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, hosted by Fox News. The lineup for the debate was released by the Republican National Committee, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy standing center stage. They will be joined by former Vice President Mike Pence, former ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum will stand on the wings of the debate stage.

The candidates' placement on the stage is based on polling, with the highest polling candidate in the center, according to an RNC release from early June. Ronna McDaniel, the chair of the national party committee, expressed excitement about showcasing the diverse candidate field and the conservative vision to beat Joe Biden on the debate stage.

Notably, former President Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 GOP nomination, announced that he would not participate in the debate, citing his lead over his rivals. However, the debate presents an opportunity for underdogs like DeSantis, Ramaswamy, and Pence to gain traction and potentially challenge Trump's position.

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, a key figure in the GOP primary race, offered advice to the candidates, emphasizing the importance of explaining their policy positions, background, and showcasing charisma and likability. Sununu, who has been critical of Trump and campaigned with several candidates in New Hampshire, stated that endorsements are overrated and candidates must earn support on their own.

The debate will be held at the Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee and will be broadcast on Fox News, expected to last around two hours. It can also be streamed on Fox News's digital platforms and Rumble, a video-sharing service popular with conservatives.

Eight candidates have met the threshold set by the RNC to participate in the debate, including DeSantis, Haley, Scott, Pence, Ramaswamy, Christie, Burgum, and Hutchinson. They have reached minimum thresholds in polls and received donations from at least 40,000 unique donors.

The debate marks the official start of the race to secure the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election. Wisconsin, a politically competitive state, will be a crucial battleground for both Democrats and Republicans in the upcoming election. The Republican Party's national convention will be held in the state next year, where a challenger to Biden will be formally nominated.

The debate presents an opportunity for the candidates to differentiate themselves and demonstrate their ability to lead the country. Sununu, who has not yet endorsed a candidate, expressed his desire to help narrow the field and refocus the conversation on a nominee dedicated to saving America.

While Trump's absence may be notable, the spotlight will be on the candidates who are participating, as they aim to make an impact and gain momentum in the race for the Republican nomination. The debate is expected to be a launchpad for successful campaigns and could potentially shape the trajectory of the Republican Party's efforts to challenge Biden in 2024.